HENDON RESIDENT TAKES BARNET COUNCIL TO COURT
University expansion plans threaten future of residential community, with local Council’s blessing
On 14 October 2021, Hendon resident Richard Lecoat commenced Judicial Review proceedings against the London Borough of Barnet, challenging its highly controversial ‘Hendon Hub’ development plans.
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the law firm Leigh Day was instructed to issue a claim on Mr. Lecoat’s behalf, arguing that the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), the blueprint for the Hendon Hub scheme, adopted by Council on 20 July 2021, is unlawful.
Middlesex University is Barnet’s partner in these plans and is the largest (and, in the view of many local residents, only) disclosed beneficiary from the proposed developments other than Barnet Council itself.
The plans will see huge new 7-storey student accommodation blocks crammed into residential streets, including the only two conservation areas in Hendon, and the public evicted from their iconic, 100-year old Public Library building.
Mr. Lecoat says, “Having made every effort to get Barnet Council to engage meaningfully with our concerns during the four consultations they put us through this year, and with every plea having fallen on deaf ears, residents have no remaining option but to seek justice from the courts”.
Dr Matthew Offord, Conservative MP for Hendon comments “When the initial expansion of the University occurred 15 years ago, we were assured that was the only phase. Middlesex University was welcomed by local people but if this construction goes ahead they will have outstayed their welcome.”
Anne Clarke, Labour Cllr and London Assembly Member for Barnet & Camden adds “Barnet Council has completely failed to listen to residents and treat them as the local experts that they are. Instead, the administration Conservative councillors (bar one) have voted to undermine the charities using the Meritage Centre, the local community who’ve passionately campaigned for better, and voted to remove the glorious Hendon Library from public use. As councillors, our first duty must always be to serve the communities we represent. The Hendon Hub is overstretching, bizarre and unforgivable”.
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